Star Alliance vs oneworld vs SkyTeam: The Global Airline Alliances Explained
Note: This article includes excerpts and adaptations from the official airline alliance websites — Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam.
Available priority services may vary by airline and/or airport. For complete and most up-to-date details, please refer to their official benefit pages.
No single airline can truly cover the entire globe — perhaps with the exception of Emirates.
Even so, most airlines rely on partnerships to extend their reach beyond their own routes and fleets.
Over the years, these collaborations have evolved — from simple codeshares, where one airline sells seats on another’s flight, to deeper joint ventures (JVs) that coordinate schedules, pricing, and even revenue sharing.
But the most influential development has been the rise of the global airline alliance — a structured partnership model that allows airlines to share lounges, align frequent-flyer benefits, and offer seamless connections.
Today, there are three major global alliances that dominate the skies: Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam. Each brings together dozens of member airlines, connecting hundreds of destinations and millions of passengers every year.
Here’s how they compare — and which one I personally find the most rewarding to fly with.
Star Alliance
Founded in 1997 by Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines (which left Star Alliance in 2024), Thai Airways, and United Airlines, Star Alliance is the largest airline alliance with the following 25 member airlines (as of October 2025).
I’ve broken down the member list into regions, with airlines I’ve flown in bold — 17 of 25 as of October 2025, so I’m still missing a few!
Source: Screenshot from the official Star Alliance website (accessed October 2025).
Asia Pacific
Air China
Air India
Air New Zealand
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Asiana Airlines
EVA Air
Shenzhen Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Thai Airways International
Americas
Air Canada
Avianca
Copa Airlines
United Airlines
Europe
Aegean
Austrian
Brussels Airlines
Croatia Airlines
LOT Polish Airlines
Lufthansa
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)
TAP Air Portugal
Turkish Airlines
Middle East / Africa
Egyptair
Ethiopian Airlines
South African Airways
Former SkyTeam member ITA Airways is expected to join Star Alliance in early 2026.
Overall, Star Alliance offers strong coverage across Asia, Europe, North and Central America, and Africa.
View from the Air Canada Lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Star Alliance Status
(excerpted and summarized from the Star Alliance official website)
Star Alliance Silver
Priority Reservations Waitlist
Priority Airport Stand-by
Star Alliance Gold
Priority Reservations Waitlist
Priority Airport Stand-by
Priority Airport Check-in
Priority Baggage Handling
Airport Lounge Access
Priority Boarding
Extra Baggage Allowance (subject to conditions)
Gold Track (priority security / immigration lanes)
Star Alliance Gold is arguably the most universally useful of all top-tier statuses — recognized across the world’s largest network and granting access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide.
oneworld
oneworld was founded in 1999 by American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines (now part of Star Alliance member, Air Canada), Cathay Pacific, and Qantas.
So far, I’ve flown 8 of 15 member airlines (as of October 2025), with S7 Airlines currently suspended from participation.
Following the buyout of Hawaiian Airlines by Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian is next in line to join the oneworld alliance in Spring 2026.
Source: Screenshot from the official oneworld website (accessed October 2025).
Asia Pacific
Cathay Pacific
Japan Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Qantas
SriLankan Airlines
Fiji Airways
Americas
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Europe
British Airways
Finnair
Iberia
Middle East / Africa
Qatar Airways
Royal Air Maroc
Royal Jordanian
Oman Air
oneworld has a strong presence in Asia and the Middle East.
However, its European coverage is somewhat scattered — centered around London (British Airways), Helsinki (Finnair), and Madrid (Iberia) — leaving Eastern Europe and South America less connected.
Japan Airlines First Class Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) entrance
oneworld Priority Tiers
(excerpted and summarized from the oneworld Priority Benefits)
oneworld Ruby
Business Class check-in
Preferred or pre-reserved seating*
Priority on waitlists and when on standby*
oneworld Sapphire
Business Class lounge access
Business Class check-in
Preferred or pre-reserved seating*
Priority on waitlists and when on standby*
Priority boarding
Extra baggage allowance (subject to conditions)
Priority baggage handling**
oneworld Emerald
First & Business Class lounge access
First Class check-in
‘Fast Track’ or ‘Priority Lane’ access at select airports worldwide
Priority baggage handling**
Extra baggage allowance (subject to conditions)
Priority boarding
Preferred or pre-reserved seating*
Priority on waitlists and when on standby*
*In accordance with the individual policy of the oneworld airline operating the flight.
**Priority baggage handling is not currently available on flights operated by British Airways.
The Ruby / Sapphire / Emerald system is uniquely oneworld — and Emerald remains the only status among the three major alliances that includes First Class lounge access across the network.
SkyTeam
SkyTeam was founded in June 2000 by Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air, making it the youngest of the three major alliances.
Despite that, it’s now the second largest, surpassing oneworld in membership.
As of October 2025, I’ve flown 4 of 18 members, with Aeroflot currently suspended from participation.
Source: Screenshot from the official SkyTeam website (accessed October 2025).
Asia Pacific
Korean Air
China Airlines
China Eastern
Garuda Indonesia
Vietnam Airlines
XiamenAir
Americas
Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aeroméxico
Delta Air Lines
Europe
Air Europa
Air France
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
TAROM
Virgin Atlantic
Middle East / Africa
Kenya Airways
Middle East Airlines (MEA)
Saudia
SkyTeam offers strong coverage across North America, Asia, and Europe, but its Middle Eastern presence remains weaker, lacking a major Gulf carrier.
View from the Vietnam Airlines Lounge at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City
SkyTeam Elite Benefits
(excerpted and summarized from the SkyTeam Benefits Overview)
SkyTeam Elite
Extra baggage allowance (+10 kg / +1 bag)
Priority check-in and baggage drop
Preferred seating
Priority boarding
Priority airport standby
Priority waitlist
SkyTeam Elite Plus
Priority check-in and baggage drop
Preferred seating
Priority boarding
Priority airport standby
Priority waitlist
Extra baggage allowance (+20 kg / +1 bag)
Lounge access on international flights (subject to conditions)
SkyPriority recognition
Priority at transfer desks
Priority baggage handling
Guaranteed reservations (subject to conditions)
Priority at immigration and security lanes
I always felt that SkyTeam’s elite benefits were on the weaker side, but Elite Plus has been improving, with lounge access now being extended to select domestic itineraries from 2025 — a welcome change for frequent regional travelers.
One thing to note: SkyTeam is the only alliance where lounge access is typically limited to three hours before departure — though transfer itineraries are excluded from this rule.
British Airways Galleries First Lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Terminal 5
My Favorite Alliance?
Based in Japan, I have the privilege of easy access to both ANA (Star Alliance) and Japan Airlines (oneworld). But if I had to choose, I naturally lean toward oneworld.
Cathay Pacific offers some of the best lounges and connectivity within Asia, while Qatar Airways, with its award-winning Qsuite business class, sets a global benchmark for comfort and service on flights to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The British Airways network out of London is also simply unmatched for intra-Europe and transatlantic routes. And for those seeking value, Malaysia Airlines often surprises with affordable premium fares — a reminder that oneworld covers not just luxury, but accessibility too.
While I held oneworld Emerald status, it was a real treat to sample different First Class lounges across the network — something you simply can’t do with the other two alliances. From sushi in JAL’s First Class Lounge at Haneda, to the cabana suites at Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class Lounge, the sauna at Finnair’s Platinum Wing Lounge in Helsinki, or the Mark Newson-designed Qantas International First Lounge in Sydney, the experience consistently felt a step above.
Overall, I find oneworld to be the most balanced alliance. It offers meaningful benefits across its partners that the others don’t quite match — for example, complimentary preferred or extra-legroom seats (like Main Cabin Extra on American Airlines) and status recognition that truly travels with you across all tiers:
Ruby: Business Class priority check-in
Sapphire: Business Class lounge access
Emerald: First Class check-in and lounge access
For frequent travelers who value both comfort and consistency, oneworld delivers the best all-round experience.
Curious which alliance fits your own travel patterns best?
I’m always happy to help people think through their airline strategy — from choosing the right frequent flyer program to understanding which status delivers the most value.
Feel free to reach out or drop a comment if you’d like to discuss your next mileage move.
All alliance membership details are accurate as of October 2025. Please refer to the official websites for the latest information on member airlines, tiers, and benefits.
